Camping Food Ideas: 13 Ways To Whip Up a Gourmet Meal

Posted by Camp Trainer on Feb 8, 2009 in Recipes • No comments • 4,097 views

Who says that you can’t have gourmet food while out on the hiking trail? With a little bit of imagination and creativity, you can certainly a wonderful meal that will remain in your memories in years to come. Combined with the serenity of outdoor life, nothing beats cooking and eating your own meals with great company.

For a gourmet treat: Drop chunks of raw fish into boiling soup and cook for a maximum of 5 minutes. Sounds terrible but it actually tastes superb and is the logical solution to preparing fish when vegetable oil or stove fuel is in short supply.
Making popcorn: If you’re tired of trying to season popcorn in a pot that’s too small, try this — Carry some large grocery sacks on your next campout. As you complete each batch of popcorn, pour it into the paper bag. Don’t use a plastic bag as hot popcorn will melt right through it. Season the popcorn and shake the bag to mix. When the popcorn’s gone, burn the bag… or fold it and store in a plastic bag for future use.

Making biscuits and cakes: Mix batter in a plastic zipper-lock bag. Add the water, knead the bag with your hands until the consistency of the mix is correct. Then punch a hole in the bag bottom and force the gooey mess into your awaiting over. Burn the plastic bag. No mess or fuss!

Quick and easy trail suppers: Can be prepared by adding any or all of these items to boiling soup mix: instant rice, dry noodles, elbow macaroni, Bisquick dumplings (use a plastic bag to mix), or Potato Buds.

Bagels for Lunch: Bagels are an ideal trail bread. Buy the frozen kind, which keep nicely for about a week after thawing. Pile bagels high with sausage, cheese, peanut butter and jelly for nutritious lunch. Bagels are tasty and pack well.

Pita (Mediterranean Pocket Bread: Another alternative to trail crackers. Pita contains preservatives (bagels do not) and will remain fresh and tasty for at least 2 weeks in typical summer weather. One pita bread per person is substantial lunch fare when combined with the usual noontime extras.

Tortillas: Contains preservatives and last as long as pita. Add beans, cheese, hamburger, etc and you have a complete meal.

Cheese in Soup: You bet. Sprinkle dired parmesan cheese on soup for a gourmet treat. Chunks of cheese (any kind) add spark, flavor and calories to trail spaghetti and chilli.

Peanut Butter On Pancakes: Sounds awful but tastes divine. The peanut butter melts into the hotcakes and provides a rich taste.

To make good-tasting boiled camp coffee: Bring water to a boil, then remove the pot from heat. Add one tablespoon of ground coffee per cup, plus an extra tablespoon for the pot. Stir coffee into the water and put on a lid, and set the pot aside for 5 minutes to allow the grounds to settle. Do not boil pot-brewed camp coffee. You’ll destry the delicate flavor and introduce a muddy metallic taste.

For classy coffee: Add cinnamon or almond extract and you’ll draw raves from everyone. A quarter teaspoon of almond extract or powdered cinnamon per 8 cups cups of coffee about right.

To make delicious camp mocha: Use 1 packet of hot chocolate mix per cup. Fill cup with fresh brewed coffee and top with some mini-marshmallows.

Hot Pancakes for a big group: Mix pancake syrup and margarine or butter in a small pot and heat. This will help keep pancakes really hot when they are prepared in advance for a large group.

Do you have any interesting tips to share with cooking while camping? Share them in the comments!